View Tony Pedregon
Tony Pedregon
By Gregg Leary
Category:Auto Racing
DOB: 3-8-65 (43)
2007 NHRA Funny Car Champion
2003 NHRA Funny Car Champion
2nd in Funny Car Points 4 Times in Career (96, 97, 99, 2002)
Left John Force Racing after 2003 Season to form a two car operation with brother Cruz
Crew Chief: Dickie Venables
First Start: Pomona 2 1992
First Win: Atlanta 1996
His 4.659 E.T. is second quickest all time. (Behind Robert Hight’s 4.646)
His 331.28 MPH is the 9th fastest all time. (Mike Ashley’s 334.32 is number one.)
Second on the All Time Funny Car Win List with 36. (only 89 behind John Force)
Tied for 14th with Kurt Johnson in All Time NHRA Wins…just passed Don Garlits 35 wins.
2007: 4 Wins (Phoenix, Reading, Dallas, Las Vegas 2)
Took NHRA Points lead at Dallas after beating brother Cruz in the Finals.
Had 91 Point lead and only had to qualify at Pomona to take the title…if no national record were set. (Good thing…he lost in the first round.)
Drag Racing 101 with Tony.
What is E.T.?
How can your run a quicker E.T. than your opponent and still lose the race?
What is a “hole shot?”
How did “Funny Cars” get their name?
Why are they called “floppers?”
As an artist your work is on display in the “World’s Fastest Art Gallery”…330 MPH plus. Whose helmets have you painted? (John Force, Cory Mac, Cruz)
You won the Championship by 19 Points over Robert Hight. What’s your assessment of the “Countdown to the Championship?”
Your former boss, John Force had his horrific crash and essentially dedicated himself to making funny cars safer. What safety improvements have you used in your car as a result of his research?
What further safety improvements must still be made?
Could “SAFER” barriers be used to line the outside walls?
If speeds were cut back would it affect the show?
You list your dad, “Flamin’” Frank Pedregon as your hero. Tell us why.